Those damn Red Sox. You want to hate 'em for beating us in two World Series in ten years, but then there's this: A big gushy advertisement from the front-office of the Boston ballclub thanking Cardinals fans for their "warm Midwestern welcome" and recognizing Cardinal Nation as "everything that's great about baseball."

The advertisement appears on page A3 of today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and didn't come cheap. According to the newspaper's rate card, a full-page ad on that real estate costs at least $20,000.

Red Sox owner John Henry signs the ad, along with the team's chairman Tom Werner and CEO and president Larry Lucchino. And while some may dismiss the notice as little more than a marketing ploy, its message (below) seems heartfelt. It reads:

On behalf of our partners and the entire Red Sox organization, thank you St. Louis. The warm Midwestern welcome you extended to our team and our fans during this year's hard-fought World Series is truly appreciated. Your region, its people, and the entire Cardinals organization represent everything that's great about baseball.

We share the same colors and rich, storied baseball history that stretches from Musial and Williams, to Molina and Pedroia. We're both home to the most loyal, passionate fans in the game. And the four World Series in which we've gone head-to-head are all etched in the memories of those who love our sport.

So we tip our caps to each and everyone one of you. We look forward to seeing you again next August. Let's hope that it's just a prelude to meeting again in October.

Continue on for reaction from the Cardinals and to view a full version of the advertisement.